Tar-Ancalimë was raised by her mother Erendis and a childhood companion was Zamîn. Her mother's tragic married life might have influenced Tar-Ancalimë's rejection of men.

She withdrew to the countryside of Emerië, rejecting all of the many suitors who sought her royal hand. While she was dwelling in the sheep-lands of Númenor she acquired the title Emerwen Aranel, which is Quenya for "Princess Shepherdess".

Though she rejected her courting nobles, she grew close to a shepherd by the name of Mámandil, but after a while Ancalimë was angered to discover that Mámandil was no shepherd, but another noble suitor, Hallacar son of Hallatan of Hyarastorni.

Both Tar-Ancalimë and Hallacar were fifth-generation descendants of Tar-Vardamir, and the marriage was more one of politics than of love. The Queen aimed to produce of an heir in order to secure her throne from her first cousin Soronto. Following the birth of their son, Hallacar and Tar-Ancalimë lived apart.